Jan

23

What kind of faith do you have?

Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments

To what do you ascribe your faith? Most would say they have faith in things that make them secure. The Hebrew word for faithfulness literally means “firmness”; figuratively, it means “security” and “fidelity” is the moral definition.

In 2 Thessalonians 3:3, Apostle Paul appeals to the believers and reminds them that “The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one” (NAS). Faithfulness is an essential part of who God is (Psalm 89:8; Hebrews 13:8) and it is multi-faceted. He demonstrates this to us in several ways. Through his faithfulness, God not only protects us from evil, he sets limits on our temptations, forgives our sins, and sanctifies us.

While God has faithfulness covered, our faith in him has different facets as well. There are different ways to ascribe our faith to God:  Faith as belief, faith as commitment, faith in our waiting on God, and faith in him as our refuge.

God’s faithfulness is the pivot upon which turns his whole purpose for humanity. God calls and then through his goodness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4; 1 John 1:9). “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The better we truly know God, the more we will want to trust, imitate, and rely on him. We cannot be faithful to our Lord without a total commitment to him as the most important thing in our lives. By having the right kind of faith, it will produce righteousness in us in contrast to pagan faith in one’s self, which leads to unrighteousness.

God’s faithfulness is the pivot upon which turns his whole purpose for humanity. God calls and then through his goodness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4; 1 John 1:9). “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The better we truly know God, the more we will want to trust, imitate, and rely on him. We cannot be faithful to our Lord without a total commitment to him as the most important thing in our lives. By having the right kind of faith, it will produce righteousness in us in contrast to pagan faith in one’s self, which leads to unrighteousness.

Jan

15

Life’s not fair–so what else is new?

Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments

 

Because of the cross, who of the saved can demand any other fairness in light of the unfair exchange of life that granted you an eternal one?

Looking to the world to assure your worth, value or joy? Looking to man to assuage your distress? There’s unfairness everywhere. No one has cornered the market on that. The deeper the pain, the more there is to give over to the ONE source of hope and joy. It’s Jesus.

Jesus is the only hope for mankind. Remaining in the struggle as a way to blame everyone else for your lot in life is a waste of precious time. Why not cling to Jesus? He’s overcome the world.

Jan

08

New Year… new self

Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments

Happy New Year!

Do you live in the past? Do you dwell on former mistakes or missteps? It’s easy to do. Though, God’s word tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV), “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

In life, we may struggle at times in the flesh. Whether by word or deed, our choices are not always fruitful. Don’t let Satan get the victory for we belong to God now, and it is by his strength that we can overcome our own fleshly weaknesses. The first step begins with turning over our struggles to the only wise God and Savior, our heavenly father, and allow the Holy Spirit to work within us.

This time of year brings many to make New Year’s resolutions which not long afterward come to nothing but empty words. People want to make a change or turn over a new leaf; however, what they really need is to turn over a new heart.

Making a change is not always easy and can come gradually. In he words of the Apostle Paul, we need to remember that it’s a destination. “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 3:14 KJV), and “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 KVJ).

Only the Holy Spirit can affect a real change. Leaning on the spirit to guide and deliver us from sin and evil is a something we can depend on. Change can chafe because we resist moving out of our comfort zone. Let’s continue to press on—not for ourselves—but to honor the Lord in word and in deed, renewing our minds to seeking His will in all things that he may be glorified.

 

Dec

30

Global warming is chilling…

Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments

To think that man is capable of ruining the earth is pompous.  Global warming is the new reality to some. Really? I thought the earth has been experiencing the ups and downs of temperature change since time began.

While we need to be good stewards of our land, the mindset that we suffer from some kind of catastrophe in the making is ludicrous. God is in control of our planet–nothing man can do will change that.

The greatest hoax to come to America by the likes of the few elitists who wish to make money and instill fear in people is this chatter about global warming. The scare mongering they’ve engendered has stirred up the masses to a frothy brew of ignorant name calling and useless fervor.

I believe people are concerned more with God’s creation than God himself. The Lord God, whom we just celebrated this Christmas, will take down this whole planet one day and it will no longer be. Imagine that. I would be more concerned about the price we will pay if we do not put our faith and trust in the almighty, the CREATOR. The rest is talk and speculation.

Dec

25

What does Jesus want for Christmas?

Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments

 

Every year, we hear the classic music of old time crooner, Bing Crosby. We’re familiar with his smooth vocals—particularly the song where he’s dreaming of a white Christmas… “Where the treetops glisten and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow.” Now that Christmas is almost here, we can hear his immortal words once more.

We also hear about what those nearest and dearest to us want for Christmas. How many times have we been asked through the years:  “What do you want for Christmas?” If a child wants a new toy or gadget, his parents will often say, “Wait until Christmas.” What do you want for Christmas? Do you expect to receive it? Hang on, Christmas is only a day away.

In a quiet moment this Christmas Eve while wrapping our presents or preparing tomorrow’s Christmas meal for our families, there’s something we can ponder. We can muse on higher ground and ask ourselves what the Lord may want this Christmas.

In the book of Micah, the question is asked of the prophet 700 years before Christ came to earth:  “Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

Micah 6:8 states: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

While there was no room for Jesus in the old Bethlehem inn, may it be different for him today. May you find room for him in your heart. For that is the only room he desires… and all he wants for Christmas.